Missions
Indian Hill Bible Church is committed to serving Missionaries around the world. Click on the latest information from our Missionairies and how IHBC projects have supported the spreading of the Gospel!
Haiti Pastor Training Mission
Hey glory! Dear Prayer-Partners,
Ephesians 6:19, "Pray for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel." II Thessalonians 3:1, "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you."
I have a small stack of scripture memory cards on my nightstand to go over and meditate on as I go to sleep. I found it interesting that these two were in close proximity to each other. A good reminder for me, and encouragement, that if the Apostle Paul needed constand prayer support, then so do I.
I have had two seminars for pastors and Ceres' widow ministry is going well. She has the food distribution for all the widows in the home church area tomorrow. The new group home for widows is a blessing to see. The budget for that is getting better organized right now. We think we were very close in our estimate of what it would take to care for each of the five widows there. She is praying for some sponsors at $150/month per widow.
The church we started helping in May is doing quite well. Attendance is running in the 70's. I am blessed to hear of the people in the community that are thankful for that church, even if they do not attend there. It is a huge spiritual challenge because of a seemingly total lack of any mature believers. That is a good challenge to face with the teaching of the Word of God and prayer.
Vehicle parts are arriving for the Tacoma. We are praying that it will be in service within a couple more weeks.
Prayerful reminders of opportunities for personal involvement with 14 teachers that could be sponsored at $100/month per teacher for 10 months. Also, motorcycles for two pastors at $1500 each. I could mention these needs just once, and then just wait and pray, but people are asking to be reminded of these things.
We just now returned from the country where Ceres and several helpers bagged up the food supplies to be given to the widows tomorrow. While they were doing that, I drove a short distance away and staked out the floor plan for a house we are planning to build for a young family.
God bless you all,
Pastor Dave & Ceres
Kyle & Hannah Davis
Bible Translation Fellowship
On the home front
In winter the sunset is blocked by the house to our north. But by spring we get the joy of seeing the sun set over the Atlantic ocean again. God’s handiwork continues to amaze and remind us of His sustaining power over all His creation. Every day has its own concerns for us to give to our supremely sovereign, infinitely wise, and abundantly good God, who ordains all the details of our lives.
In September, Hannah stepped on a needle at the beach, so she has to take HIV antiretrovirals for 6 weeks for preventative measures. Please continue praying for Hannah’s insomnia and fatigue, and that these heavy meds will not cause further issues, and that the Lord would protect her from further illness or sustain and comfort her in the midst of further suffering. We trust the Lord is working His purposes in and through all that He gives us to steward.
BTF workshop in Zim
In August Kyle spent a week in Harare, Zimbabwe serving the International Bible Society of Zimbabwe (IBSZ). Andrew, the director, is carefully rebuilding the organization after it suffered some major setbacks. After a mutual friend introduced Andrew and Kyle, they had several conversations over the past few months, and Andrew thought Kyle could help him rebuild his team by leading a workshop. This workshop served as a first gathering for Andrew to invite potential translators to, for Kyle to get to know Andrew better, and for them to get to know Kyle and BTF.
Andrew led the first session of the workshop by giving the history of IBSZ. Kyle then led the remaining sessions over the course of two full days, which focused on all the elements of building a Bible translation brief. Developing a BT brief is like outlining a macro-strategy for a BT project. Remember those introductory pages you once read and then forgot about when you bought a new Bible? Much of what you see in those pages are the elements that go into a BT brief: what is the translation philosophy, how will key (theological) terms and names (e.g. YHWH) be rendered, who is the primary intended audience, etc. After the workshop, Kyle and Andrew spent more time getting to know one another, and praying and planning for the future of IBSZ and the many languages in Zimbabwe (and Africa!) that need first translations, major revisions, or completely new translations. Andrew is keen to have Kyle back to Zim, so we are praying and planning on next steps to serve Andrew and his team as they identify BT projects they will work on.
BTF growth and change
We are so grateful for Brett’s ministry to BTF on the Board of Directors for the past six years. Due to other commitments, Brett needed to step off the board, and the Lord kindly provided Josh to serve as BTF’s secretary on the board. Josh has already been serving BTF in many ways over the years, but we’re happy to have him serving BTF in this capacity as well. God has been so good to us in providing advice and oversight through such a great team.
Kyle is having good conversations with a potential intern. Please pray with us for wisdom about offering a paid internship to this brother. Kyle is also talking with a man from the DR Congo who is aiming to plant a church, but who also has experience and a desire to be involved in BT. Pray for wisdom as we vet this brother and try to discern if he would be a good fit as a BTF field partner.
As we consider these, and several other opportunities for growth, we are trying to be very careful in who we associate with, because we know first-hand the importance of having godly, humble, and theologically likeminded co-workers who watch their life and their doctrine (1Tim 4.16). In addition to your prayers for discernment in adding BTF team members, please also pray that God will provide the funding needed to pay an intern and support more field partners.
Local ministry
A few nights ago we got a call; a new believer we have been discipling was arrested and in jail. Kyle was permitted to visit her for a few minutes in jail, to read Scripture and encourage her, and then he picked her up the next day when she was released. We’re thankful the Lord exposed her sin and protected her in jail, and we are praying for her repentance and faith.
We’ve also been counseling a couple that contacted us because they are going through a very difficult situation in their church. Please pray for wisdom in our counsel, for the unity and protection of this church, for the gospel witness of this church to be preserved, and for this couple and their future.
A few months ago a missionary here in ZA contacted Kyle to say that the pastor of the church they attend is very sick, and the church needs to think about a pastoral transition. He asked if he could put Kyle’s name forward to serve as their pastor. He and Kyle have met several times to discuss various paths that could best serve the church. Kyle offered to help the church search for a full-time pastor, so we are waiting to hear from the missionary and the church’s elders about their next steps and whether they want Kyle’s help in searching for its next pastor. Pray for God to raise up more godly, humble, and faithful laborers to pastor here in ZA.
On his way back from Zimbabwe, Kyle spent a week in Pretoria and Johannesburg, ZA, visiting Bethany Baptist and Brackenhurst Baptist. This was such an encouraging time for Kyle. He served Bethany Baptist with some teaching and preaching, while they greatly encouraged him through their worship gatherings and by their pastors spending time with Kyle. During this time Kyle also visited with a friend who has been struggling in various areas of life, marriage, and ministry, and Kyle has been able to encourage, counsel, and guide him.
For your partnership in prayer:
Thank the Lord with us for Kyle having such an encouraging time getting to know the pastors at Bethany Baptist and Brackenhurst Baptist
Thank the Lord for a profitable time in Zim with Andrew at IBSZ
Pray for Hannah’s energy, insomnia, counseling, and the impact of the HIV antiretrovirals.
Pray ZA will grant long term visas before our current visas expire in Dec.
Pray for a likeminded, godly, humble, gifted preacher-pastor who could join us in planting a Baptist church.
Pray for those examining Kyle’s PhD, for God’s will and timing of completing this work.
Pray the Lord would raise up more godly and orthodox pastors, Bible translators, translation advisors, and translation consultants.
Pray for the Lord to provide a reliable person/couple to house and dogsit for several months, so we can take our first furlough in 2027
Pray for our vetting of an intern and more field partners, and for funding to support those we approve.
We are so grateful for the privilege of serving as partners with you to see God’s Word translated and ministered in and through healthy churches.
We co-labor with you, and in gratitude to God for your fellowship,
Kyle and Hannah
Pray for us, so that the Lord’s Word would run rapidly and be glorified, just as it has with you (2Th 3.1)
